AUTOMECHANIKA TRIES NEW SHOW FORMAT AT UK GARAGE AND BODYSHOP EVENT 2024
The usual format is to have a show over a number of days, where the main business is completed in the first morning and by the last day the exhibitors out-number visitors. The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2024 was different. Held over two days, it attracted 5 125 visitors to 120 stands representing 180 brands in half of one exhibition hall – compact, and busy. Indeed, visitors were still turning up on the final afternoon.
With the automotive aftermarket undergoing significant transformations, particularly with changes in vehicle technology and the use of data, the importance of such an event has never been more crucial.
Exhibitors were happy with the engagement, and it seems visitors were as well. The overall mood was upbeat and optimistic. By combining with a ‘garage show’ (meaning vehicle maintenance) the body shop exhibitors found a different type of potential customer which was typically smaller, who either also did body repair or had connections to smaller body repair shops. Quality rather than quantity.
Exhibitors chose UK Garage and Bodyshop Event as the place to launch more than 25 new products, showcasing the latest advancements in service and repair products, diagnostics, and garage equipment direct to visitors.
Elcometer exhibited the latest Sagola virtual refinishing training tool, using a choice of two head set suppliers. The tool has been optimised with real Sagola spray gun data to develop the right body position for each job. The other highlight was the Sagola 4600 spray gun range featuring a special additional air path to produce an air curtain around the compressed air driven spray. This reduces the paint loss due to scatter, and so promises reduced operational costs.
Sherwin-Williams (Valspar) hosted a large stand. They highlighted their refinishing systems with air drying ability – something all of the major suppliers at the show embraced. In this case the big news was Octoral PF345 rapid surfacer, which dries in ambient in 15 to 20 minutes. It can also be baked if required. The surfacer does not require an additional guide coat.
The formulation performance will depend on humidity – so the product will behave differently in Durban to Johannesburg.
PPG exhibited an entire range of air-drying products too with ‘Deltron Progress’. The big innovation was additional functionality for Moonwalk, was integrating the new 3D colour matching camera and the ability to select model specific panels. This enables mixing to be further optimised and waste reduced to a few centilitres – far below conventional systems.
INDASA launched a new filler compound, which is a re-formulation and is also air drying – the rate is dependent on the humidity. The formulation improvement means the adhesion and integrity are improved to the point the outer edge will not break away, allowing less product to be used to achieve the desired effect.
With every one of these products training is essential to get the very best from the refinishing system, and most of that is enabled by the retailers with support from refinishing product manufacturers.
Overall, Automechanika and their exhibitors had a good show, buoyed by optimism from visitors. Visitors participated in interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations, and workshops. The technical presentations for the body shop attendees, were in the main poorly attended. However, the NBRA (equivalent of CRA or SAMBRA) was full to overflowing. It seems the attendees wanted business first, rather than information.
Story and pics by Andrew Marsh
